I have registered my charity, says First Lady: Beautify Malawi Trust

First Lady Gertrude Mutharika has disclosed that she has officially registered her own charitable organisation to be called the Gertrude Mutharika Beautify Malawi Trust.

Madam Mutharika said her charity would promote hygiene practices, proper waste disposal and recycling of waste.

“The Gertrude Mutharika Beautify Malawi Trust (BEAM), is envisioning increased access to participatory and improved
sanitation and sustainable community management of waste and waste facilities in Malawi,” said the President’s wife.

Gertrude Mutharika: Malawi First Lady registers trust

The First Lady who is Patron and Board Chairperson of the Trust, observe that: “Waste collection levels in Malawi are low and have triggered widespread illegal open dumping and backyard incineration. This has created negative environmental impacts and increased the health risk of the residents.”

She added: “Open waste dumps are primary breeding sites for mosquitoes, houseflies, rodents and other vectors of communicable diseases such as fever, diarrhoea, cholera, dysentery, and malaria. Loose papers and plastics that are blown by wind result in an aesthetic intrusion of the surrounding environment. Children are the most affected both in the present and future times.”

The Trust, which would work with the local councils and schools, will be focusing on community health and hygiene, peer education and enterprise development and access to markets, among other things.

The First Lady assured Malawians she would soon make available more details about her vision while announcing the next steps in realising her dream for a cleaner and healthier Malawi.

Mutharika has since appointed presidential chief economic adviser Dr. Collins Magalasi as vice board chairperson of the trust.